Is it better to solder
electrical wires to terminal connections or crimp them? P.V.,
via e-mailSoldering
is no longer considered a proper way to connect electrical wires to terminal
connections, as it can produce hard spots in the wire that can fatigue
and break. In addition, solder will break down when subjected to salt
air, causing a loss of strength and electrical integrity. The preferred
method is crimping.

Make sure your crimping
tool is the size specified by the terminal manufacturer. After crimping,
protect the connection from corrosion by sealing it with a coating of
liquid vinyl, sometimes known in the trade as liquid electrical tape,
or by using shrink tubing.

What do you recommend
for keeping a teak-and-holly sole clean? S.E., via e-mailI’ve
had good results with scrubbing the sole with a soft sponge and a solution
of two parts Murphy’s Oil Soap and one part warm water. It will clean
the surface without scratching it.

How is an open-circuit
voltage test done on a 12-volt battery?J.N., via e-mailThe open-circuit voltage of a 12-volt battery is what is measured
when the battery is not delivering or receiving power. For a fully charged
battery, it should be 2.11 volts per cell, or 12.66 volts for a 12-volt
battery.

You can easily check
the open-circuit voltage of your battery by disconnecting both cables,
then setting your multimeter control to D.C. volts; for meters without
auto ranging set it to 20 volts. Touch the red (positive) probe to the
battery positive terminal and the black (negative) probe to the negative
battery terminal and read the meter.